Traditional ways of using computer devices such as mouse and keyboard have started to fade out. In next generation is of touch screen interface, gestures and mind reading equipments.
Touch screen devices are already available in the market such as touch screen MP3 players, Mobile phones and Monitors used in ATM`s for example. Now, the biggies in computer and OS manufacturers are working on implementing the same concepts in computers and laptops with further advanced technology.
- Microsoft “Surface”
Microsoft’s “Surface” was the first touch screen interface was introduced in 2007.
Organizations and Enterprises are working on a multi touch screen. The device enables users to manipulate several applications with making gestures. An instinctive interface can make technology suite a normal individual who are not very good with using computers. Using a touch recognizing device would always be easy than using mouse which requires some amount of expertise for a beginner. Just imagine small kidos and grand parents using computers. Using the current computers would be very difficult for them, but if they are made to use computers with touch screen interface, it would be fairly easily.
Using a single pointer mouse restricts us from accessing multiple applications at the same time. But, imagine if each finger tip acts as a separate pointer on a touch screen, we can do multiple operations with a better speed and accuracy at the same time.
Gesture interface too is in process of 
development. Clusta a UK based design outfit company has designed such an interface for one of its clients. Inorder to recognize gestures, web cam is essential which reads the users gestures and then feeds it to the computer, there the feeded data is interpreted into commands and accordingly the on screen applications operates. An ongoing Research is carried on a gesturing technology for operating a Television Set.
A further more advanced technology option is been looked at, which can interpret thoughts going on in the brain. For past couple of years, experiments are going on mind controlled devices. A device names “Emotiv” has been created with Australian and US collaboration.
The device comes in the form of a headset which enables the user limited actions. The device is designed to recognize neural activity. The headset has 16 electrodes installed in it. The electrodes detect conscious thoughts, emotions, facial expressions and the rotation of the head. As we all are aware that our brain consists of 100 billion nerve cells or neurons, the electrodes detect the electrical impulses which occur when a particular is done. Then the data that is fetched by the headset is feeded to computer via a wireless USB dongle connected to the computer.
Posted under Computers, Latest News
This post was written by Kevin on October 18, 2008
